I am a University of Washington employee and work just a few blocks from where she was last seen. I have been following this story closely as it really hits home.
As a local, I have a few thoughts:
1. The Safeway that she was last seen at is referred to by area residents as the Ghetto Safeway due to the constant presence of drug dealers, thugs, hoodlums in the parking lot. I do not shop there, even in the daytime.
2. The crime rate in the University District has skyrocketed in the past couple of years, many students are getting mugged/held up on the street for their phones, laptops, wallets, purses. So many students walk around tuned out listening to iPods or using their phones, it is very easy for someone to approach them before they even realize what is going on. Happens weekly, even in broad daylight.
3. I dont know if the sighting of her at the International District bus station on Saturday evening has been verified, but that area is very unsafe, especially after dark. Lots of drugs/gang activity going on down there.
4. When she first disappeared, it was mentioned that she was taking antidepressants but family/friends said she was a happy person and wouldnt have left on her own. Today her family released a statement saying she was on antidepressants and they are worried about her state of mind. Why the change? Did they find out something that indicated she was unhappy recently?
I am hoping the police are able to access her cell phone data and figure out where her cell phone last pinged at.